St. Louis Blues Re-Sign Jordan Schmaltz

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 10: St. Louis Blues defenseman Jordan Schmaltz (43) during the NHL regular season game against the Los Angeles Kings on March 10, 2018, at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The St. Louis Blues announced on Wednesday that they have re-signed Jordan Schmaltz. Schmaltz was an RFA this off-season but didn’t have rights to arbitration. The two parties agreed to a two-year deal. The deal is worth $700,000 both years. It is a two-way contract this season, worth $150,000 if he plays in the AHL, but turns into a one-way contract in the 2019-2020 season. This likely shows the team’s intentions with Schmaltz’s role this season.

Jordan Schmaltz agrees to a two-year deal. Gets one-way in year two #stlblues

Jordan Schmaltz Signs a Two-Year Contract with the Blues

Schmaltz has played 22 NHL games since he was drafted in the first round of 2012, by the Blues. In those games, he has only recorded three assists. This is in major contrast to his AHL totals. Last year he scored 23 points, including five goals, in 31 AHL games. In 2016-17 he was also a very productive AHL defenceman, scoring 25 points in 42 games. Standing at 6-foot-2, Schmaltz is a strong playmaker on defence but hasn’t been able to translate those traits to the NHL.

Schmaltz, 24, is one of the older defensive prospects in the Blues system. The team has dedicated a lot of resources to bring in young defencemen. As a result, they now have a fairly deep group. Included in this group are Jake Walman, Mitch Reinke, and Niko Mikkola. The former of the trio is currently tied for fourth in scoring at the league’s 2018 Traverse City prospect tournament. He has five points in four games.

In order to play in the AHL this year, Schmaltz will have to pass through waivers. As a result, his role this season is very up-in-the-air. By being signed to a two-way deal, playing in the AHL this year could be a very real possibility for Schmaltz. This is emphasized more by the Blues cluttered defence, that already features seven NHL-calibre players.